Here’s an opportunity to own part of the local history and support the Manteca Historical Society Museum at the same time.

Hundreds of holiday gifts, many of them unique vintage items, will be on sale during the Holiday Boutique hosted by the Museum’s Gift Shoppe on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The fund-raising event will include a wide variety of collectibles such as Christmas tree ornaments and a host of special holiday gifts.

Many of the things offered for sale were gathered by Gift Shoppe coordinator Vivian Sarina from various sources, said museum director Evelyn Prouty. The collections range from vintage jewelry – e.g., earrings, rings, broaches, necklaces and bracelets – to tree ornaments by Lenox and other well-known brands which will be offered at reasonable prices.

For history buffs, the Gift Shoppe offers a wide variety of hard-to-find books that give a glimpse of local history. There are books that were published by the San Joaquin County Office of Education on such topics as local railroads – some of them are now just historical footnotes – Indians, schools including those that no longer exist such as the old Veritas School, and Victorian clothing. This is also a good opportunity to purchase a copy of the book, Manteca: Selected Chapters from its History, written by Prouty when she was working at the Manteca Bulletin. The book’s chapters were published as a series in the Bulletin.

Sarina pointed out that the Gift Shoppe also has a limited number of the Manteca Afghan which design features several historical high points in the Family City including the old City Hall on Sycamore Street across from the Library Park, the old Manteca High School, and the old Manteca Winery.

Sarina’s special finds that will be offered for sale also include all kinds of women’s purses, both for evening and daily use, as well as fashionable scarves and other accessories.

Prouty said they will have so many special items on sale they will have extra tables set up for shoppers to browse through.

All proceeds from this holiday boutique will go to the historical museum.

For more information about the holiday boutique and the museum, call (209) 825-3021. The museum is located at 600 West Yosemite Avenue.